The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea re-opened crossing points on their shared border for the first time in 20 years on Tuesday (September 11), cementing a stunning reconciliation and giving Addis Ababa a direct route to its former foe's Red Sea ports.

After opening the border, Ethiopian Prime Minister said his countries forces stationed along the countries' shared border will be moved back to camps to ease tensions further for the first time in two decades.

"Welcoming the New Year with a new hope and peace will help us in making our forthcoming jobs easier," Abiy told reporters, referring to the fact that Ethiopian New Year was celebrated on Tuesday.

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed said: "Our defence forces, as of today, will withdraw from the borders de-escalating the tense war situation on the border and assemble to its camps, recover and engage in more training to equip itself. The same will be done on the Eritrean side."

Since signing an agreement in Asmara, Eritrea on July 9 to restore ties, the Eritrean and Ethiopian leaders have moved swiftly to end two decades of hostility which burned on after the 1998-2000 war between the two countries in which 80,000 people died.